FOOD ALLERGIES IN CATS

Overview:

Food allergy is an uncommon problem in cats and it can start at any
age. A change in diet is not necessary for development of food allergy.
About 70 percent of affected pets develop allergies to food ingredients
that they have been fed for a long time, usually more than two years.
In fact, if your cat has an immediate adverse reaction to a new food,
it is probably not an allergic reaction, because it takes more than one
exposure to produce an allergic reaction. Food ingredients most commonly
responsible for allergies are beef, chicken, fish, eggs and milk. The
tendency to develop allergies is genetically determined. For more information
on pet food, see our article on common pet food ingredients
and their benefits.

Common Symptoms:

Itchy skin, especially around the face, paws and ears

Bad skin odor Excessive scaling Red bumps or papules

Ear infections

Self-inflicted skin trauma resulting from severe itching

Diarrhea and vomiting, although the majority of cats with food allergy
primarily show skin related symptoms

Next Steps:

Elimination Diet: This test consists of identifying a diet that contains
ingredients to which the pet has never been exposed and strict feeding
of this food alone for 8 to 12 weeks. A Food allergy can be considered
as a cause if the itching and scratching improve and your cat does
not develop relapsing skin irritation or ear infections during the
food trial.

Feed Ultra Premium Foods: Muttropolis only carries foods considered
ultra-premium. Ultra premium Foods are distinct mainly by the high
standards placed on their ingredients. All ultra premium foods are
made from 100% Human Grade ingredients and contain absolutely no “Bi-products”. “Bi-products” is
a loose label that can include many undesirable meat sources that can
change between bags of the same type of food. Please ask a Muttropolis
associate for more information on the importance of Ultra Premium Foods.

Recommended Foods & Supplements:

Dry/Kibble

Canned/Wet
Canned and wet foods are especially important for cats who often need the moisture
as they do not drink as frequently as dogs. Finding a formula that does not
include the ingredients that you have pin pointed as possible allergens is
important.

Supplements
Dr. Goodpet’s Scratch Free® is a homeopathic remedy formulated for
the temporary relief of pain, itching and scratching associated with hot spots,
eczema, flea-
bites and allergic dermatitis. It soothes and aids in healing.

Additional Note:
Not all skin irritations and itching symptoms are caused by food allergens.
There are many seasonal and environmental allergens that can cause similar
symptoms. Often switching to the previously recommended diets can aid in these
cases as well and food can often worsen symptoms caused by environmental allergens.
We always recommend speaking to a qualified Veterinarian to ensure there are
no other underlying causes which may need more immediate medical care.